Plastics Compatibility with Sterilization Methods

Ethylene
Polymer Dry Gamma Electron
Polymer Autoclave Oxide
Abbreviation Heat Irradiation Beam
(EtO)

Biopolymers
Poly(L-lactide) PLLA Fair Good Good Good Good
Polylactic acid PLA Poor Fair Good Good Good
Polyhydroxybutyrate PHB Poor Poor Good Fair Fair
Polyglycolic acid PGA Good Good Good Good Good
Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) PLGA Poor Poor Good Fair Fair
Polycaprolactone PCL Fair Good Good Good Good

Elastomers
VMQ, PMQ,
Silicones Good Good Good Good Good
PVMQ
Urethane thermoplastic
TPU Poor Fair Good Good Good
elastomer
Copolyester thermoplastic
TPC Poor Good Good Good Good
elastomer
Polyamide thermoplastic
TPA Poor Poor Good Good Good
elastomer
Styrenic thermoplastic
TPS Poor Poor Good Good Good
elastomer
Olefinic thermoplastic elastomer TPO Poor Fair Good Good Good

Fluoropolymers
Polytetrafluoroethylene1 PTFE Fair Fair Good Poor Poor
Fluorinated ethylene propylene FEP Good Good Good Fair Fair
Perfluoro alkoxy PFA Good Good Good Good Good
Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene ECTFE Good Good Good Good Good
Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene ETFE Good Good Good Good Good
Polyvinyl fluoride PVF Good Good Good Good Good
Polyvinylidene difluoride PVF2 Good Good Good Good Good

High-temperature thermoplastics
Polysulfones PSU Good Good Good Good Good
Polyphenylene sulfide PPS Good Good Good Good Good
Liquid crystalline polymer LCP Good Good Good Good Good
Polyetherimide PEI Fair Fair Good Good Good
Polyamide-imide PAI Fair Fair Good Good Good
Polyetheretherketone PEEK Good Good Good Good Good
1Radiation stable grades need to be used for radiation sterilization.
ver 23-Jan-2019
The information contained in this document is intended to provide guidelines for reference only. We do not make any sort or warranty, express, implied
or otherwise as to the performance of any materials with respect to sterilization or any other use. It is the responsibility of the user or engineer to
evaluate all materials and processes for suitability of use, from a technical and legal perspective.

Industrial Specialties Mfg.

ISM and IS MED Specialties
4091 S. Eliot St., Englewood, CO 80110-4396
Phone 303-781-8486 I Fax 303-761-7939
industrialspec.com ismedspec.com
© Copyright 2019 Industrial Specialties Mfg.
 Plastics Compatibility with Sterilization Methods
Ethylene
Polymer Dry Gamma Electron
Polymer Autoclave Oxide
Abbreviation Heat Irradiation Beam
(EtO)

Polyamides
Nylon 6, Nylon 66 PA6, PA66 Fair Fair Good Fair Fair
Aromatic AP Good Good Good Good Good
Nylon 12, 6/12 PA12 Poor Poor Good Fair Fair

Polyesters
Poly butylene terephthalate PBT Fair Fair Good Good Good
Poly ethylene terephthalate PET Poor Poor Good Good Good
Copolyesters Poor Poor Good Good Good

Polyolefins
High-density polyethylene HDPE Poor Poor Good Good Good
Low-density polyethylene LDPE Poor Poor Good Good Good
Ultrahigh molecular weight
UHMWPE Poor Poor Good Good Good
polyethylene
Polypropylene1 PP Good Fair Good Fair Fair
Polypropylene copolymers PPC Good Fair Good Fair Fair
Cyclo olefin copolymer COC Fair Fair Good Good Good
Polyvinyl chloride plasticized1,2 PVC Fair Fair Good Good Good
Polyvinyl chloride
PVC Poor Poor Good Fair Fair
unplasticized1,2

Polystyrene / Styrenics
Polystyrene PS Poor Poor Good Good Good
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
ABS Poor Poor Good Good Good
copolymer (Abs)
Styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer
SAN Poor Poor Good Good Good
(San)
Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate ASA Poor Poor Good Good Good
Methacrylate acrylonitrile
MABS Poor Poor Good Good Good
butadiene styrene copolymer
Styrene-butadiene copolymer SBC Poor Poor Good Good Good
Acrylics1,2 PMMA Poor Poor Good Good Good
Polycarbonates1,2 PC Fair Fair Good Good Good
High heat polycarbonates PC Good Good Good Good Good
Polyurethanes PU, PUR Poor Poor Good Good Good
Acetals POM Good Good Good Poor Poor
1Radiation stable grades need to be used for radiation sterilization.
2PVC, acrylics and PC require corrective tint to compensate for discoloration.
ver 23-Jan-2019
The information contained in this document is intended to provide guidelines for reference only. We do not make any sort or warranty, express,
implied or otherwise as to the performance of any materials with respect to sterilization or any other use. It is the responsibility of the user or engineer
to evaluate all materials and processes for suitability of use, from a technical and legal perspective.

Industrial Specialties Mfg.

ISM and IS MED Specialties
4091 S. Eliot St., Englewood, CO 80110-4396
Phone 303-781-8486 I Fax 303-761-7939
industrialspec.com ismedspec.com
© Copyright 2019 Industrial Specialties Mfg.